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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-18-2007 08:42 AM

DanTwoLakes

Gary Watson: I answered the wolfman because he told me he had been "upholstering since I was in diapers" which is not the case. Nobody said he didn't do good work, just that what he uses for sewing machines and thread is not what anyone else uses. (or needs to use) I've seen his home page.

02-17-2007 10:10 PM

hotwolf

dan two lakes

What are you doing cutting the wolfman for ? he has won more National shows over the years than anyone he doesn't do furniture says it is for sissy's... he has even done a few cars for me , I would say he sets the standard he built the 70 Boss 302 that won Fords 100th anniversery show last year in Ky. just finished this past summer converting a 2006 Suburban into a Executive SUV for the owner of the Washington Nationals not to mention a few Goodguys Picks
So while you ( Dan )where playing with girlie material he was Welding, Painting , Building Engines ,putting custom interiors in real rods ,don't cut the Wolfman here is a link to his home page
His prices are down to earth as with his attitude
Gary Watson

02-15-2007 12:01 PM

DanTwoLakes

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolfmanhotrodder

I would like for you to show me your experience do you have a web site ?where we as Professionals can promote and educate the everyday people who don't know people like us exist ,that can fix a car seat correctly besides the scratch and sniff glue in the burn hole type, I have been upholstering when you were in diapers ,the real difference in thread is ... your 69 has a breaking tension of a whole 10 pounds ...my 138 has a breaking tension of 38 pounds if you get in and out of a car 50 times the 69 is showing its wear and it is so thin it reminds me of the scrawny person on the beach getting sand kicked in his face ..... I joined this to offer my expertise and to lead a new prospect in this hard a## field to make it and answer his question on FAT THREAD and # 69 is not fat even tho it is a magic number!!! ck out my web even tho It is a sampling of my work (Removed commercial link) also check out Virginia Tech 's Home Page www.vatech.edu
and look for the P.L.U.G. I am currently building a enclosure for the P.L.U.G. project I learned along time ago don't box yourself in I personally love a challenge and build anything from Hot Rods to Huge 30 ft by 16 High by 16 wide enclosures going to Africa for scientists to live in ... not to be FAT HEADED but I work with thread , Leather;ultraleather;vinyl;cloth;canvas;carpet oh yeah I learned this profession before molded carpets ...I am open to learning....

No, I don't have a web site, but I can put one together this afternoon if you'd like. I started upholstering in January 1973. I worked for the 5th largest furniture company in the world in the sample department and learned hands on from some of the best people in the business about pattern making, cutting, sewing, springs, foam, and upholstering. You started in 1976, so I was producing finished products that went to national furniture shows before they showed you which end of the broom touches the floor. I'm not saying that 69 size thread is the only size to use, just that it's not as weak as you're trying to make people believe. Also, the sewing machines you advocate would be like using a rocket launcher to hunt for squirrels. Any sewing thread only needs to be as strong as the surrounding fabric. Any more than that is overkill. I'm glad to hear that you're open to learning, so am I. I also don't think I have every answer to every question and am the first to admit it. Now,........how about the two of us forget about the pi**ing contest and try to help these folks. (BTW I won't take offense to the diaper crack if you won't take offense to the broom crack.)

02-15-2007 07:55 AM

horvath

Thanks, Wolfman -- the chart I have says that thread size 138 is to be used with a #24 needle. Will my #22 needle handle it okay? If so, I sure would like to use the #138 for top/french stitching!

PS - The Tacsew is a copy of the Singer 111

02-14-2007 08:58 PM

wolfmanhotrodder

Elk

Elk that is thick I use 22'S the 138 should work on top and 92 on bottom the tacksew I am not to familiar with

02-14-2007 08:55 PM

wolfmanhotrodder

tack bradley

Thanks for your response
I learned it back in the early seventies at Godfather Vans which is now godfather customs in every truck mag you read I started sweep up and worked my way up to foreman in 6 months
start as a helper if you can find a job in a shop and auto mechanics will give you the basics you need if not Ron Mangus and thom Taylor has a nice book to give you pointers keep in touch I have taught people to do this but it is up to you on how much patience you have because you will screww up after all the first seat I did was in duct tape

02-14-2007 08:46 PM

horvath

Hey, Jason -- When my Tacsew arrived in 3 separate boxes last Thursday I was so happy I thought I was gonna bust! I was opening the boxes and laughing, saying "This is like Christmas!" LOL! And Friday was my birthday.

This really is a whole lot of fun ... and a real big challenge, too, which I need because I can't sit still for long.

Hey, Wolfman -- I just ordered some #92 thread. That's the largest I can use on my Tacsew; largest needle size = 22 (leather needle) which is what I'm using on 4.5 ounce elk leather.

According to the chart I have:

Anafil Nylon (bonded) thread
#69 has a tensile strength of 10.5 lbs. and a thread diameter of .011
#92 has a tensile strength of 14 lbs. and a thread diameter of .012
#138 has a tensile strength of 21.5 lbs. and a thread diameter of .017

02-14-2007 08:41 PM

TackBradley

niiiice...

hey wolfman. just checked out your site...very nice my man!!! im sure i'll have questions for you in the future haha. thanks for the post. i might have a guy who needs a couple bike seats done. if your interested i'll talk to him.

~Jason
(516) Drum Co.

02-14-2007 08:23 PM

wolfmanhotrodder

what the hay?

I would like for you to show me your experience do you have a web site ?where we as Professionals can promote and educate the everyday people who don't know people like us exist ,that can fix a car seat correctly besides the scratch and sniff glue in the burn hole type, I have been upholstering when you were in diapers ,the real difference in thread is ... your 69 has a breaking tension of a whole 10 pounds ...my 138 has a breaking tension of 38 pounds if you get in and out of a car 50 times the 69 is showing its wear and it is so thin it reminds me of the scrawny person on the beach getting sand kicked in his face ..... I joined this to offer my expertise and to lead a new prospect in this hard a## field to make it and answer his question on FAT THREAD and # 69 is not fat even tho it is a magic number!!! ck out my web even tho It is a sampling of my work (Removed commercial link) also check out Virginia Tech 's Home Page www.vatech.edu
and look for the P.L.U.G. I am currently building a enclosure for the P.L.U.G. project I learned along time ago don't box yourself in I personally love a challenge and build anything from Hot Rods to Huge 30 ft by 16 High by 16 wide enclosures going to Africa for scientists to live in ... not to be FAT HEADED but I work with thread , Leather;ultraleather;vinyl;cloth;canvas;carpet oh yeah I learned this profession before molded carpets ...I am open to learning....

02-14-2007 08:22 PM

TackBradley

hooray for me...

alright my man. i just ordered those 2 books from amazon. shipping out in 2 days...im so excited haha like waiting for christmas morning as a little kid!!! i talked my mom into giving me a crash coarse...then giving me her sewing machine haha. unless theres excercises in these books i'll be starting with straight lines, then 6's then 8's correct? man i cant wait!!!
i think i may be biting off more then i can chew. im learning body and paint work, airbrushing and pinstriping, fiberglassing and now upholstery haha i dont even know what to do with myself. as long as i get the gf involved i should be ok!!! thanks my man...looking forward to the info you'll be posting on your site!!!

~Jason
(516) Drum Co.

02-14-2007 07:03 PM

horvath

LOL! Looks like a Trimmer's Club is developing here this week! I'm looking forward to learning with you, Bro'! Join in with us! Dusty just got his machine and is waiting to get it back from a tune up ... I just got mine and am waiting for the right size belt to put on so I can rev 'er up! But in the meantime, I've mounted the machine on the table, and just finished modifying my treadle (foot control) and adjusting the servo motor to give me more control. I'll be posting exactly what I did on my site in a couple of days -- my site is about to become a Tacsew T111-155 tutorial site.

The electronic servo motor is something new in the trade (so I gather) ... they say it gives you more control than the standard clutch motor and from what I've seen tonight, playing with it and my treadle, I believe it's true; I can gently nudge the treadle and watch the pulley turn as slow as a turtle on valium.

yea sorry, after i posted this i realized there were alot more threads on it. but thanks sooo much. do you know the books off hand? also what did you spend on this machine? looks expensive! im asuming the servo isnt the stock for this? but i really appreciate the help and the willingness to help. im sure i'll be getting to know you guys pretty darn good soon!!! man i love this site!!!

~Jason
(516) Drum Co.

02-14-2007 06:44 PM

horvath

Join the club, TackBradley.
Read all the posts I started in the past 10 days here in the Interior Forum ... and those by Dusty82 ... there are 2 books mentioned that are really worth having and, since I just purchased an industrial walking foot machine last week, I've been asking all the questions a beginner would ask.

Top stitching is when you sew a visible thread-line to one side of a seam ... french stitching is when you sew a visible thread-line on both sides of a seam.

You need an industrial machine. I started with an old Singer workhorse (see here) and modified it to the max only to learn that it takes the right tools for the right job and in order to sew heavy leather like I'm doing, I needed an industrial walking foot machine. I found what I believe is a great machine at an unbelievable price that included everything I needed to get started -- (see details and link to buy here).

02-14-2007 05:11 PM

TackBradley

i need a quick rundown...

can someone point me in the direction of uphostery work? i really want to try this but i dont know where to start. what would i need to get started? anyone know of a good tutorial or rundown on getting started? i know some terms but dont know what they mean...like top stiching, french seam, etc. can i use a home sewing machine with a different needle or do i need like an industrial size machine? i want to redo the interior of my towncar.
thanks guys!!! man i love this site!!!

02-14-2007 02:00 PM

DanTwoLakes

You are exactly right. I don't know about you, but I have never not been able to sew something with my machines. The only thing that will stop you is something too thick to go under the foot. You wouldn't want to sew extra thick stuff all day every day, but it will handle it for a short run.

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